And they were safety nightmares. That’s really what moved people from those vans to much safer SUVs.
Roll over any SUV today and the rear passengers stay in the seats, with airbags on the sides. In an old van those passengers got tossed about like rag dolls.
Even worse in a semi-frontal collision - those rear passengers f got tossed forward. Belts in those things could only handle so much lateral motion. Or they had bench seats and no one used the lap belts. Or captains chairs, and if you did use your belt, we’ll, the chair could come loose.
Yeah, but there’s no reason any of those issues wouldn’t be solved with modern seat belts, chair attachments and air bags. Mini vans are safe AF. And less likely to roll over.
You don’t remember how bad those vans were.
And they were safety nightmares. That’s really what moved people from those vans to much safer SUVs.
Roll over any SUV today and the rear passengers stay in the seats, with airbags on the sides. In an old van those passengers got tossed about like rag dolls.
Even worse in a semi-frontal collision - those rear passengers f got tossed forward. Belts in those things could only handle so much lateral motion. Or they had bench seats and no one used the lap belts. Or captains chairs, and if you did use your belt, we’ll, the chair could come loose.
Those vans were bad from a safety perspective.
Look, it was the parent’s duty to reach out their arm and hold the kids against the seat, if there was a sudden stop or imminent collision.
The kids weren’t sitting in the back unless there were other adults in the car. Otherwise who would light the cigarettes?
Or hold the steering wheel while Elaine applied her makeup?
Yeah, but there’s no reason any of those issues wouldn’t be solved with modern seat belts, chair attachments and air bags. Mini vans are safe AF. And less likely to roll over.